ArticleBMJ open2026
Prospective accuracy study on an artificial intelligence-based ultrasound system for gestational age estimation among pregnant women in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa: protocol.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundRisk screening for pre-eclampsia relies on accurate gestational age assessment, but routine access to ultrasound-based gestational dating remains challenging in many low- and middle-income countries. As part of the formative work for the 'Preventing pre-eclampsia: Evaluating AspiRin Low-dose regimens following risk Screening' (PEARLS) platform, we aim to validate and implement an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for estimation of gestational age, using blind sweeps done with a handheld ultrasound device. This study protocol outlines the accuracy cohort for AI-based gestational age estimation in participating facilities in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multicountry prospective cohort study will recruit 969 pregnant women at 13 health facilities across Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. The eligible population is pregnant women presenting for antenatal visits from 11 ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received or sought ethics approval from the following entities: Australia: University of Melbourne, Office of Research Ethics and Integrity (Reference Number: 2024-28489-49438-3) and the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee (Reference: Project 727/23); Ghana: Ghana Health Service Ethics Review Committee (GHS-ERC Number 002/01/24); Kenya: Kenyatta National Hospital, University of Nairobi ERC (Ref: KNH-ERC/01/MISC/20); South Africa: University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Science, Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC Ref: 138/2024). Key findings will be disseminated to research teams to inform future scale-up of AI-based pregnancy dating and pre-eclampsia risk screening. Findings from this pilot work will be published in peer-reviewed open-access journals, conferences and meetings to maximise reach of our findings.
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